Rath, I understand that you feel that way, but honestly it sounds as though you are taking the message board contest thing too seriously. You are little different, because people know you and it is "what you do" so you don't want to lose respect by doing it.
All those things you talk about are nice, and I am sure they make you sound better, so you will have a better chance to win. But they do not seem "necessary"
I still agree with Tiff. It would seem better to turn in a crappy clip, than to quit.
And I stand by what I said, some of you are not doing this for fun, and are spending far too much time on it. If it is causing trouble in your real life, if not more power to you, spend as much time as you want.
I stand corrected, you are as vapid as they say.